On the November Saturday that I visited, the library felt like a real sanctuary from all the football goers outside who were getting rather loud and intimidating. The library is in an old building but it feels quite modern inside. It is largely one open-plan space sectioned off by bookcases. Apparently this is a temporary site while a new one is being built.

The children’s area takes up about a quarter of the ground floor and has a table tennis table in it. There was a café in the other corner where I picked up a snack. The library was quite active with the noise of kids chatting and the café.

Upstairs was more for quiet study there was lots of bookstock and all the computers were occupied.

I was excited to see plans up for the new library building. However local news reports that it was expected to open in 2017 – the council website now says it is due to open in Autumn 2018. It is called The Lightbox and is part of the redevelopment of the retail and leisure facilities in Barnsley.